Ministerio de Defensa Ejército de tierra
Ministerio de Defensa Ejército de tierra
Ministerio de Defensa Ejército de tierra
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The colour of Guipúzcoa

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Number: 27

67th Infantry Regiment ‘Tercio Viejo de Sicilia’

This Basque province is home to one of the oldest units in the Army: The 67th Infantry Regiment ‘Tercio Viejo de Sicilia’

Guipúzcoa has a special colour. Its oceanic climate, with abundant rainfall throughout the year, gives it an intensely green landscape which on the coast blends with the blue of the sea. Rivers like the Urumea flow into that sea after tracing a meandering course. On the shore of one of those meanders, in the town of San Sebastián, stands the ‘Loyola’ garrison, headquarters of the 67th Infantry Regiment ‘Tercio Viejo de Sicilia’ for the last 90 years.

The Regiment enjoys a close relationship with the people of Guipúzcoa, partly due to the fact that for many decades its young men did their military service there. However, Army personnel used to be a prime target for the terrorist group ETA, which assassinated two of them – including two Guipúzcoa military governors: Generals Lorenzo González-Vallés (in 1979) and Rafael Garrido (in 1986).

 

67th Infantry Regiment ‘Tercio Viejo de Sicilia’

67th Infantry Regiment ‘Tercio Viejo de Sicilia’. Foto DECET

 

High Mobility Tactical Vehicle in Jaizquíbel (Guipúzcoa), with the Cantabrian Sea in the background

High Mobility Tactical Vehicle in Jaizquíbel (Guipúzcoa), with the Cantabrian Sea in the background. FOTO DECET

Practice of instinctive rifle shooting, essential to shoot fast and accurately.

Practice of instinctive rifle shooting, essential to shoot fast and accurately. . Foto DECET

Training in the use of medium-sized mortars at the training field and shooting range ‘Jaizquíbel’

Training in the use of medium-sized mortars at the training field and shooting range ‘Jaizquíbel’. Foto DECET

Fortunately the situation is now very different, and that has given the people of Gipúzcoa the chance to rediscover their Army – notably the ‘Tercio Viejo de Sicilia’. Soldiers can now leave the garrison and walk around as they do anywhere else in Spain. In addition, it is worth mentioning that some months ago, on 25 October 2015, 200 civilians pledged allegiance to the Spanish flag during a ceremony held at the garrison.

Until last year the Regiment was part of the 5th Light Infantry Brigade ‘San Marcial’ (known as BRIL), which was stationed in Vitoria. However, on 1 January it was integrated into the 11th Mechanised Infantry Brigade ‘Extremadura’ (BRIMZ), with headquarters in Bótoa (Badajoz).

“There is no question that the dissolution of the 5th BRIL was a sad event – admits Colonel Albentosa, commander of the Regiment –, but we have to look forward. Our future lies with the 11th BRIMZ, a great unit which has extended us a warm welcome and has made us feel at home from the very beginning.”

 

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